February '25 Superintendent Update

We have completed more than 100 days of the 2024-2025 school year. The beginning of March is in just a few days; spring is around the corner. Winter sports are concluding; spring sports are beginning. And the actors and musicians in our spring musicals at both the middle and high schools are ready to entertain you. UMMS will present Shrek the Musical on March 6-8. The UMHS Drama Company will present Little Mermaid on March 27-29.

Mark your calendar to catch one or both of the shows.

High school students have completed their first semester of classes, and students in grades K-8 will finish the second trimester in early March. Sometimes, during this time of year, students need gentle reminders of school expectations. How do we respect our classmates, friends and teachers and keep everyone safe? I appreciate that principals, teachers, bus drivers, as well as our cafeteria and recess aids help remind students of expected behaviors. I am grateful to the students, who work together to help maintain a safe, respectful and productive school environment.

Additionally, I thank our parents and guardians for your continued reminders and encouragement with your children.

Thank you for your continued partnership for student success!

Members of our Upper Moreland community have an opportunity throughout February and March to enjoy some fabulous food at Tony Roni’s and support the Upper Moreland Education Foundation (UMEF). Tell them you are supporting the Upper Moreland Education Foundation when you order from Tony Roni’s on the following dates: February 28, March 21 and March 28. Tony Roni’s will donate 15% of the proceeds to UMEF, which supports innovative instruction in all of our Upper Moreland schools.

Thanks to Tony Roni’s for their partnership and support of UMEF and our students!

• Friday, February 28: HS Jazz Fest

• Wednesday, March 5: HS Staff vs Student Basketball Game, benefits MiniTHON

• Thursday, March 6, 7, 8: MS Musical: "Shrek the Musical"

• Saturday, March 8: HS Indoor Guard Show "Guards in the Grove"

• Tuesday, March 11: School Board Committee of the Whole Meeting

• Friday, March 14: NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS

• Tuesday, March 18: School Board Policy Committee Meeting

• Tuesday, March 25: School Board Meeting

• March 27, 28, 29: HS Musical: "Little Mermaid"

During February we celebrated Black History Month at Upper Moreland, a time to honor the rich history, culture, and contributions of African Americans. Students across the District engaged in a variety of enriching activities to learn about the legacy of Black individuals and their impact on our world.

The UMHS Diversity Club shared Black History Month facts, focusing on the 2025 national theme: "African Americans and Labor" in the daily announcements throughout the month. They included facts about historical inequalities and the ongoing struggle for labor rights. They emphasized the resilience of Black workers in the face of these challenges. The club encourages everyone to continue learning and reflecting on the vital contributions of African Americans to the labor movement. The club also recognized the many notable figures and their lasting impact throughout Black History, including Martin Luther King Jr., Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Bessie Coleman and Bayard Rustin. Promoting the importance of cultural awareness, the Diversity Club also highlighted information about the holiday Ramadan to promote understanding of its spiritual and cultural significance. Ramadan begins on February 28th.

UMMS Art Club students took a field trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art to experience the thought-provoking traveling exhibit, "The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure." Guided by a knowledgeable museum art educator, the students explored and discussed the powerful artwork on display and gained a deeper appreciation for the artists' perspectives.

UMIS students were treated to an exciting and educational assembly titled "American Dance: From Africa to Broadway" presented by the OKRA Dance Company. Two talented dancers led the students on a captivating journey through three centuries of American history, showcasing how diverse cultures and traditions have converged to shape the dances we recognize and enjoy today. The interactive performance explored a wide range of dance forms, from European folk dances and African plantation stories to vaudeville, tap, and the vibrant expressions of the Harlem Renaissance. Students witnessed history come alive through music and movement in this engaging and informative presentation.

Ms. Corso's third graders explored the lives and remarkable contributions of three pivotal figures in Black history: Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Jackie Robinson. Throughout February, the students researched and identified significant events in each individual's life, then organized their findings into timelines to better understand the historical context and lasting impact of their achievements. Ms. Martz’s 4th-grade class enjoyed a special virtual learning visit from the Rendell Center for Civic Education. Lawyer, Ms. Susan Etter led a read-aloud of “Henry’s Freedom Box.”, a powerful book based on the true story of Henry “Box” Brown, who mailed himself to freedom in 1849. Ms. Etter brought Brown’s journey to life, as it taught students about courage and the struggle for justice.

These are just a few examples of the many ways Upper Moreland schools celebrated Black History Month. Through art, dance, research, and discussion, students gained valuable insights into the past, present, and future, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the rich tapestry of Black history and culture.

In early February, over 150 families attended the first World Read Aloud celebration at the Upper Moreland Intermediate School. World Read Aloud day celebrates both the value of reading and the art and joy of reading aloud. Local authors John Marshal and Amy Feldman read from their books. Other guest readers, including high school students, staff, Board members, UMPD and the UMFD shared favorite children’s literature with students and their families. Also, some guest readers shared stories in Spanish and Ukrainian. The students carried reading passports to fill as they moved from room to room to listen to a variety of wonderful stories. Families also enjoyed a hot chocolate bar.

Special thanks to Mrs. Levy, Ms. Gallagher, and all the volunteers who helped make this evening a wonderful success!

Upper Moreland Intermediate students participated in the annual Career Day on Friday, February 21st. Community members and parents representing a wide variety of careers shared their job responsibilities, training/schooling required, and interesting aspects of their careers. Presenters included an airline pilot, athletic trainer, firefighter, scientist, aerial lineman, steam fitter, supply chain professional, HVAC technician, machinist, 4 different types of nurses, physical therapist, sports radio host, journalist, and even our superintendent! The students took notes and asked some thoughtful questions.

The students were also encouraged to dress for their future careers. Their careers included an artist, teacher, veterinarian, photographer, scientist, military officer, baseball player, professional soccer player, and nurse to name a few.

Thank you to all the presenters for taking time from your busy schedules to help students learn about a variety of career options they can consider in the future.

Ms. Jen Martz’s fourth graders invited our Superintendent, Dr. Elliott, to listen to their persuasive essays focused on their ideas to make their school better. The students worked diligently to develop compelling arguments, aiming to convince Dr. Elliott of their ideas for positive changes within their school. Their ideas included longer recess, student hall passes, fewer tests, class pets, bigger bus seats, no homework, more library classes, more gym classes, access to personal technology in school, and Fridays off.

Dr. Elliott expressed her appreciation to the students' for their hard work and thoughtful proposals. They presented research to support their claims and clear explanations of the positive impact of each change. The visit provided a valuable opportunity for students to compose and present their ideas to a community leader, and gave Dr. Elliott some very interesting ideas to consider.

Upper Moreland High School is thrilled to announce Andalucia Lovelady as the UMHS Rotary Student of the Month for February 2025! Andalucia's dedication to academics, leadership, and community service truly embodies the spirit of this award.

Nominated by Mrs. Meredith Fleck, Andalucia is described as the "epitome of the student of the month." Her impressive 4.1792 GPA, Distinguished Honor Roll status, National Honor Society membership, and AP Scholar Award (2023) highlight her academic excellence. Beyond the classroom, Andalucia is deeply involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities. She serves as Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper and is a four-year member of the three-time state champion marching unit. She participates in indoor percussion (vibraphone 1) and indoor color guard (rifle line), and she has helped the indoor guard earn regional championships and place second in Atlantic Coast championships. Andalucia also participated in the Montgomery County Honors Band.

Andalucia's commitment to service is equally impressive. She dedicates her time to organizations like Caring for Our Homeless Neighbors (COHN) in Philadelphia, Kids in Motion in Easton, PA, and her local church, where she volunteers in various capacities. Her leadership skills were further honed through participation in Camp Neidig, a Rotary District 7430 leadership development program, where she served as editor-in-chief of the camp yearbook.

Andalucia has a love of English Literature, and she plans to pursue a college degree in the field.

Congratulations, Andalucia! We are #UMProud of you!

Students from the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) recently competed in the SkillsUSA District Competitions, held at various locations throughout Montgomery and Bucks Counties in January and February 2025. The competitions showcased a wide range of skills and leadership abilities. Several Upper Moreland High School (UMHS) students earned medals during the competitions.

Naomi Loston captured a gold medal in the Design, Photography, and Illustration, Promotional Bulletin Board competition. This impressive win qualifies Naomi for the SkillsUSA State Championships in April.

Both Skyler Childs and Nicholas Ley earned silver medals in the Robotics and Automated Technology, Career Pathways Showcase and the Robotics and Automated Technology, Industrial and Engineering Technology competition, respectively.

Logan Rollinson rounded out the medal count with a bronze in the Robotics and Automated Technology, Mechatronics event.

Congratulations to all the UMHS medalists!

Upper Moreland High School juniors, Amelia Soleau and Holly Pfizenmayer earned spots in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) Region VI Choir with an opportunity to audition for States. Both Amelia and Holly qualified in the top ten at the tryouts. They will join other talented vocalists from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties at the Regional festival in March held at Garnet Valley High School, which culminates with a concert on Saturday, March 15th at 1:00pm.

Congratulations to Amelia and Holly on this incredible achievement!

The Upper Moreland Board of School Directors held their action meeting on Tuesday, February 25th. Below are highlights of actions taken at the meeting. To view the meeting agenda, please visit the School Board section of the District website.

• The Board approved a donation of $4,000 from a 2016 graduate to support the Upper Moreland Orchestra program.

• The Board approved a donation of $3,000 in gift cards from ACME Markets Foundation to help reduce food insecurity for students and their families in the community.

• The Board approved bids to replace the roofs at the Upper Moreland Primary School and the District Transportation Building as part of the District’s 5-Year Capital Improvements Plan. $500,000 of the cost for the UMPS roof will be funded by a facilities grant the district received from the state.

• The Board approved the purchase of two ovens for the high school cafeteria to replace the current ovens, which are 16 years old and too costly to maintain.

• The Board approved the annual Membership Services budget with the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU).

To watch the full Board meetings, please visit the School Board page of the District website.